By The Associated Press, By The Associated Press January 28, 2007U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd on Sunday defended the right of Congress to oppose a troop buildup in Iraq and called Defense Secretary Robert Gates' criticism of lawmakers dangerous and irresponsible.Speaking on CNN's "Late Edition", Dodd, D-Conn., blasted Gates for saying that a resolution opposing an escalation of forces would embolden the nation's enemies and advisories.The Democratic-controlled Senate plans to begin debate this week on a nonbinding resolution declaring that Bush's proposal to send 21,500 more troops to Baghdad and Anbar province is "not in the national interest.""I voted to confirm (Gates)," Dodd said. "But that's a very dangerous thing to be suggesting that the United States Congress has no business suggesting an alternative here, or recommending a course of action different from the president of the United States. For us not to do that would be the height of irresponsibility if that was the feeling in Congress.".........